Air-spring suspension



R. LIEBAU.

AIR SPRING SUSPENSION. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26,1919- 1,410,938, Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

2 $HEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES INVENTOR R. LIEBAU.

AIR SPRING SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1919.

1,410,933, Patnted Mar.28,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WITNESSES hire Brennan LIEBA'U, or NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ssreNoa'ro THE 'wss'rrna nousn AIR sPnrNe COMPANY, a CORPORATION or rnNNsYnvA re.

AIR-SPRING SUSPENSION.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patgritetl dial. 28, 1922.

Application filed February 26, 1919. Serial No. 279,427.

invention relates to vehicle air ambulances and in fact most of the vehicles in which the body overhangs the springs both front and rear it is desirable to place the air springs outside of the frame or load platform at positions approximately opposite the forward and rear ends of the forward and rear steel springs, respectively, and an object of this invention is to provide means for coupling up the air springs to the steel springs in vehicleshaving such overhanging bodies. I

This, as well as other objects, I attain in the device described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings in which Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of the rear of an ambulance frame with the rear air springs installed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l of a por of the vehicle have their cylinder bottoms connected by means of a cross brace or swivel. Each cross brace consists of a curved end 7 having an eye 8 whereby the cross brace is pivotally connected to the cylinder bottom by means of a pin 9. Each end mem her also is provided with a cylindrical portion 10 and at the uncture of the cylindrical portion and the curved end portion a shoulder 11 is formed. p

A. sleeve 12 is shrunk onto the cylindrical portion adjacent shoulder 11 and is pinned thereto by means of pins 13. A tubular member 14 fits over the cylindrical ends of the two end members, and the end members are forced apart by means of a coil spring 15 and a distance piece 16 both of which lie within the tubular member. The distance piece is preferably formed of wood for cheapness sake and the spring tends to hold the cylinder bottoms against the rear surfaces of the guard members 4. In the case of the rear air springs sleeve 13 is provided with an upstanding boss 17 which is drilled through from side to side to receive a shackle pin 18 and a shackle 19 connects boss 17 with the steel spring 20 by means of a spring bolt 21 which passes through the eye of the steel spring and the shackle. In case of the front suspension the shackle 19 is omitted and sleeve l3 corresponding to sleeve 13 is provided with upstanding ears 22 between which the eye of steel spring 20 is secured by means of a spring bolt 21 In order to accommodate different widths of vehicles tubular member 14 may be out to the desired length and the distance between spring 15 and the inner ends of the cylindrical ends 10 of the end members filled with a woodenfblock 16 cut accordingly.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is 1. In combination with the load platform and steel springs of a vehicle, two pneu matic springs, each comprising two relatively movable telescopic members, means for securing one member of each spring to the load platform, a pivotal connection between the other member ofeach spring and one steel spring of the vehicle, andmeans located between said connections for yieldingly holding them apart.

2. In combination with the load platform and steel springs of a vehicle,.twopneumatic springs, each comprising two relatively movable telescopic members, means for securing the outer member of each spring to the load platform, a pivotal connection between the inner member of each spring and one steel spring ofthe vehicle, and means extending below the load platform and engaging each pivotal connection and yieldingly forcing'the inner telescopic members of the pneumatic springs laterally with relation to the outer telescopic members; I

'3. In combination with the load platform and steel springs of a vehicle, two pneumatic springs, each comprising two relativelfv IIHYHLblQ telescopic members, means for securing one member of each spring to the lfi'fitl platform, a motel unmection befol-cin d connections outwardly with re lation to the load platform.

4. In combination with the load platform and steel springsoi a vehicle, two pneumatic springs, each comprising two relatively movable telescopic members, means for securing one of said telescopic members of each spring to the lozirlpletiorni, a cross member emenrling below the lozirlj ilzitform and forming a yielding com'iection between the other telescopic member ofboth springs, and means for eonnectingiail'l cross memher to said steel springs.

In combination with thelmul platform and steel springs of 2L vehicle, two pneumatic springs, each comprising nn inner incl outer telescopic member, meenslor se- -iections V curing the outer member of each spring to the load platform, :2 separate end member pivoielly securedto the inner member of eech-spring'a shackle between said member and one steel spring of the vehicle, and yielrling means between the end members associated with both pneumatic springs.

6. In combination with the load platform and steel springs ofe vehicle, two pneumatic springs, each comprising an inner and outer telescopic member, means for securing the .onLer member of each spring to the loml.

i It testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2nd day of Decem ber, 1918.

RICHARD LIEBAU. 

